Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp counterattack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the issue of offering namaz on streets, stating that in the state, everything happens on roads due to the lack of adequate space. The former chief minister's remarks came in response to Adityanath's recent criticism of the practice, where the CM had termed it as an encroachment on public property.
Akhilesh Questions Development Claims
Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Akhilesh Yadav said, "The CM talks about development and progress, but the reality is that people are forced to perform even religious activities on roads because there is no space. Whether it is weddings, funerals, or namaz, everything happens on the streets in Uttar Pradesh. This is the ground reality." He further added that the government should focus on providing basic amenities rather than making statements that divide society.
The Samajwadi Party chief also accused the BJP-led state government of failing to address the issue of encroachments and illegal constructions, which have reduced public spaces. "Instead of blaming people for offering namaz on roads, the government should build more mosques and community halls. The lack of planning is evident," he remarked.
Political Tensions Escalate
The exchange of words between the two political rivals has escalated tensions in the state, with the ruling BJP accusing Akhilesh of encouraging illegal activities. BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said, "Akhilesh Yadav is known for his appeasement politics. Instead of supporting law and order, he is justifying encroachments." Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party has demanded that the CM apologize for his remarks, which they claim are aimed at polarizing the electorate ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
The issue of namaz on streets has been a contentious one in Uttar Pradesh, with the state government issuing directives to district administrations to prevent such practices. However, Akhilesh Yadav's counteroffensive has brought the focus back on infrastructure and urban planning failures in the state. Political analysts believe that this debate could influence voter sentiment in the forthcoming elections.
